Manhole and sewer basin cover

ABSTRACT

A cover prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling into the basin during construction or paving by covering the manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover helps makes paving around manholes easier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to manhole and sewer basin covers and, more particularly, to a metal plate used to cover and protect manholes and sewer basins during paving or construction.

During construction or paving, the slotted holes of a manhole cover, which allows rain water to flow in, can also allow debris, such as gravel, asphalt, or dirt to fall in, clogging the drainage system. When excess amounts of this debris falls into the basin, it must be removed manually. The current methods for preventing this is not adequate and can often result in the need to manually clean debris from basins.

For example, a current option for preventing debris from entering basins is to place a filter fabric underneath the slotted manhole cover. This fabric often breaks down and falls into the basin itself. Also, when someone tries to remove the fabric, any material still on the cover or built up around the manhole is allowed to fall into the basin.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved cover to protect manholes and sewer basins during paving or construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cover plate comprises a plate member sized to fit over a basin cover; a hole centrally disposed in the plate member; a pin adapted to fit through the hole and into a central hole of the basin cover; and a connector attachable to the pin to removably retain the plate member to the basin cover.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing debris from entering a basin comprises placing a plate member over a basin cover; inserting a pin through a hole in the plate member, the pin extending beyond the basin cover; and retaining the plate member to the basin cover to prevent the plate member from sliding.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basin cover, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the basin cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the basin cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a basin cover including a handle member disposed on an upper surface thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 5, including the handle member, in use;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a sleeve element usable with the basin cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 1 with the sleeve element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 1 with the sleeve element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a basin cover with a straight pin, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the basin cover of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cover that prevents asphalt, gravel and other debris from falling into the basin during construction or paving by covering the manhole cover or basin with a thin metal plate. The cover can be made in a size to match the size of the top of a basin frame and can include a central hole into which a metal shaft can be inserted to secure the cover into a center hole of a manhole cover, for example, to prevent the cover from moving. The cover can help environmentally during construction and paving by ensuring construction debris does not enter the sewer. Moreover, the cover helps makes paving around manholes easier.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a manhole cover 10 may conventionally be disposed over a manhole 24. A manhole cover plate 12 can be secured to the manhole cover 10 to prevent debris from falling into the manhole 24. The manhole cover plate 12 allows for construction to be done on and around the basin/sewer without worry of damage or debris filling the drainage system.

The manhole cover plate 12 may be sized to cover the manhole cover 10. The cover plate 12 may be made of various materials, typically of a galvanized metal having a thickness of about ⅛ inch.

The manhole cover plate 12 can include a plate pin hole 14 in a central region thereof. A pin 18 may fit into the plate pin hole 14 and may pass through a central hole of the manhole cover 10. The pin 18 prevents the cover plate 12 from sliding relative to the manhole cover 10. In some embodiments, a cotter pin 22, or some other connector, can hold the pin 18 in place under the manhole cover 10. A pin handle 20 can be provided on the pin 18 to assist in the removal of the pin or to help lift the manhole cover plate 12 and the manhole cover 10.

In some embodiments, as described above, the pin 18 may fit directly into the central hole 14. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, a sleeve may be disposed in the plate pin hole prior to insertion of the pin 18. The sleeve may be formed in various configurations. In some embodiments, the sleeve can depend from an underside of the manhole cover plate 12. In some embodiments, the sleeve can be formed integrally with the manhole cover plate 12. In other embodiments, the sleeve can be formed in multiple parts. For example, a male threaded tubular member 26 may extend through the top of the manhole cover plate 12. A washer 28 may be disposed between a hex-shaped nut end of the male threaded tubular member 26. The threads of the male threaded tubular member may then extend below the manhole cover plate 12. A female threaded tubular member 30 may then be threaded on to the male threaded tubular member 28, securing the manhole cover plate 12 therebetween. The female threaded tubular member 30 may extend below the manhole cover plate 12, providing a means to align the manhole cover plate 12 with the manhole cover 10 before placing the pin 18 through the sleeve.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle 16 may be formed on a top side of the manhole cover plate 12. The handle 16 may pivot from a position nearly flat with the manhole cover plate 12 to a use position, allowing a user to pick up and move the manhole cover plate 12.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the pin 18 described above can be a straight pin 18-1. Other pin shapes and styles are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover plate comprising: a plate member sized to fit over a basin cover; a hole centrally disposed in the plate member; a pin adapted to fit through the hole and into a central hole of the basin cover; and a connector attachable to the pin to removably retain the plate member to the basin cover.
 2. The cover plate of claim 1, further comprising a hinged handle configurable between a first position resting flat against the flat plate, and a second
 3. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein the connector is a cotter pin.
 4. The cover plate of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member formed in the hole.
 5. A method for preventing debris from entering a basin, the method comprising: placing a plate member over a basin cover; inserting a pin through a hole in the plate member, the pin extending beyond the basin cover; and retaining the plate member to the basin cover to prevent the plate member from sliding.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising securing the pin with a connector to removably retain the plate member to the basin cover.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the connector is a cotter pin.
 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising lifting the plate member via a handle disposed on a top surface of the plate member.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising folding the handle flat to the plate member when in use. 